Elves ROTORWAY EXEC 90 N162AK

Summary

On 5 May 1996 at about 21:00 local time, a Elves ROTORWAY EXEC 90 registered N162AK, operated by Robert G. Elves, was involved in an accident near Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 May 1996 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

39.9993, -79.0702

Aircraft

Elves ROTORWAY EXEC 90

Registration

N162AK

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Robert G. Elves

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Blairsville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC96LA099

Nobody was injured.

the kit manufacturer's inadequate design of a throttle bushing, which resulted in insufficient clearance after the bushing became heated, restricted throttle movement, lack of engine response, hard landing, gear (skid) collapse, and rollover.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The homebuilt, experimental helicopter was on approach to an off airport landing area, when the pilot realized that he could not change the throttle setting. The helicopter touched down hard, and one skid collapsed. The collective/throttle assembly was removed. When heated, the throttle became difficult to move. Testing by the kit manufacturer obtained similar results. The bushings that restricted the throttle movement were supplied by the kit manufacturer.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.